14 Jan 2020 | 07:54 PM UTC
Iraq: Several rounds of indirect fire land near Camp Taji January 14 /update 17
Several rounds of indirect fire land near Camp Taji January 14; no casualties or major material damages immediately reported, with initial assessment indicating no weapons impacting the base
Event
Several rounds of indirect fire (IDF) were reported to have landed in the vicinity of Camp Taji, host to US-coalition forces, just after 21:20 (local time) on Tuesday, January 14. Initial damage assessments following the attack indicate that no weapons appear to have impacted the base, which is located approximately 27 km (17 mi) north of Baghdad. No casualties or significant material damages were immediately reported.
Additional attacks targeting facilities hosting US forces are possible over the near term; retaliatory US strikes are also possible in the region over the coming days.
Context
The US Department of Defense released a statement on January 3 claiming responsibility for an airstrike targeting and killing Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) the same day. According to the statement, Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." Notably, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was also killed in the strike. Tensions remain high in the region.
Advice
Individuals in Taji and across Iraq are advised to closely monitor developments, avoid the affected area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.
The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.
